HOT NEWS FROM ​BANGKOK & BEYOND

Hidden away at the end of a shadowy alley, atop a family-run guesthouse, a splendid view and serene atmosphere await

By Emma Carstens Designed by Sherina Purnomo

TRYING to find this hidden gem of a rooftop bar on the edge of Chinatown is all part of its charm. Fire up Google Maps at Hua Lamphong Train Station and the suggested walking route (around 15 mins) will lead you through a side of Bangkok’s old town rarely seen by anyone other than locals – think narrow alleys lined with old shop houses and quiet roads heaped with scrap metal and automobile parts.

Successfully negotiate all of this and then, secreted away at the back of a shadowy snicket, atop the River View Guest House, you’ll discover a tranquil atmosphere and one of the best riverside views in Bangkok – all bolstered by reasonably priced drinks and inexpensive, simple but satisfying Thai food.

Opened 20 years ago by a young aspiring architect, River View Guest House has done reasonably good business over the years, yet it still remains off the radar of most visitors and expats, mainly due to its hard-to-find location (not a BTS or MRT station in sight) and focus on budget travelers.

Its rooftop bar is well worth seeking out, though – especially late in an afternoon when you can sink into an exceedingly long couch, beer or cocktail in hand, and watch the sun slowly dissolve into the Thonburi side of the river. Want the best view? Simply wander up the spiral staircase for an unimpeded vista courtesy of the open-plan rooftop (with seating available as long as it’s not raining).

River Vibe also features a selection of artwork by local artists depicting scenes from the city, for sale in the daytime.

The bar opens daily from 7.30am to 11pm. To see it at its liveliest, drop by on a Friday or Saturday night.

Getting there

WHILE numerous signposts near Riverview Guest House offer details of how to get to the property, the maze of streets you have to negotiate mean it is still easy to miss. We suggest using Google Maps, or a similar app, and then walking from Hua Lamphong central station (reached by MRT). If you’re not feeling adventurous, you can simply hop in a taxi, but then you’d be missing half of the fun. The bar/restaurant is located on the 8th floor.